Tales of a (not so) Techy Teacher

A s an educator, it is my duty as per the TQS, to upstand a level of education that ensures all students are seen, heard and represented in my classroom. I was pleased to take a closer look at the Tsuut'ina First Nation high school last week! It was such an interesting experience to see the dedication that the teachers and admin have on preserving their culture. I decided to look into a school a little farther from my home here in Alberta, and check out a school that was in a town next to the one that I grew up in. The Opaskwayak Cree Nation is located next to the North Saskatchewan River, near The Pas, Manitoba. It was fun to take a look at a school that I have never seen, but in a town that is so memorable for me. I hope, one day, to be able to go see the schools that they have built, and I hope that it is similar to the ones we were able to tour here, just outside of Calgary. I appreciate the Indigenous culture so much more everyday, and I strive to preserve their heritage and c...

 Coding is a skill that many people know nothing about. In my mind coding is a string of 1's and 0's that create a program (thank you high school for the skill I never used again!). So similar to computer programing, coding is a way to create their own computer game or interactive collage. They love it! In a world where 99% of children have used some form of technology to interact with online gaming, why not teach the nitty gritty, the how's and the why's?? Using programs like  Scratch  will give students a deeper understanding of the devices they use, and what it takes to create the games they play. In terms of the 5E learning model, video games get a gold star for ENGAGING children! They are the ones who explore, and it is now our job to explain and elaborate, to teach them HOW the game works the way it does. And while most of us are far from being computer programmers, Scratch allows us to learn, ourselves, and teach the basics of coding to our students in fun ways. ...